Barcelona's Striker Search: Alternatives to Julian Alvarez

Barcelona’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez has all but collapsed, ripping up the club’s preferred plan for the No. 9 position and forcing a rethink at the top of their transfer strategy.

What had been described internally as a priority move is now considered “99% off the table”. Atletico Madrid have shown no intention of smoothing negotiations, the stance has barely shifted, and Barcelona are increasingly resigned to the idea that Alvarez will not be wearing blaugrana this summer.

So the question lands squarely on Hansi Flick’s desk and the sporting department’s meeting table: if not Alvarez, then who?

The need itself is not up for debate. Barcelona still want a striker who brings goals, sharp movement and a different dimension in the final third, someone who can change the geometry of their attack rather than simply finish chances. Replacing a profile like Alvarez, though, is anything but simple.

Inside the club, several alternatives have already been discussed, from headline names to younger, more speculative bets. Five stand out in the current internal conversations.

Georges Mikautadze: Deco’s pick, Flick’s doubt

Georges Mikautadze is one of the names gaining the most traction behind the scenes, largely because he has a powerful advocate: sporting director Deco.

The Villarreal forward is coming off an impressive 2025/26 campaign, with 15 goals and six assists. Those numbers, backed by consistent performances, have reportedly convinced Deco that Mikautadze could bring something different to Barcelona’s frontline.

But there is a problem. A big one.

Flick is not fully convinced. The coach is said to have doubts over whether Mikautadze truly fits his idea of a Barcelona No. 9 and “does not see it clearly” at this stage. For a major signing, that disconnect matters. Any operation of this scale needs alignment between the bench and the boardroom.

The finances only deepen the hesitation. Villarreal would likely demand at least €70 million. That is a serious outlay for a player the manager is not entirely sold on, turning what Deco views as an opportunity into a complicated, delicate case.

Viktor Gyokeres: Power, goals – and a heavy price

Viktor Gyokeres offers something completely different.

The Swedish striker is entering his prime and has built a reputation as one of the most reliable scorers in Europe. His situation could open up depending on how Arsenal shape their attack, but even then, any deal would come at a premium.

Gyokeres is not just a penalty-box finisher. He drifts wide, attacks space, drives at defenders and can create chances for others. Those traits fit neatly with Flick’s aggressive, direct attacking approach, where the No. 9 is asked to stretch defences, not simply wait in the area.

There are still technical questions. His ability to consistently link play at the very highest level is not beyond doubt. The goals, though, are hard to argue with.

The real barrier is financial. Gyokeres would arrive as a ready-made starter, not a project, and his fee and wages would likely put him among the most expensive options under consideration. Barcelona would be paying for immediate impact, and they would have to be certain he delivers it.

Lautaro Martinez: The ideal fit that will not budge

Whenever Barcelona’s search for a striker resurfaces, Lautaro Martinez’s name is never far away.

The Inter Milan captain has been on the club’s radar for years, and Barcelona have again made enquiries about his situation. That is where it has largely stopped.

Inter have little interest in opening the door. Lautaro remains central to their project and one of their most influential players. There has been no sign that the Italian champions are actively looking to sell, making any operation extremely difficult from the outset.

Sportingly, the appeal is obvious. At 28, Lautaro still has several peak years ahead. He offers proven goals, big-game pedigree and a complete forward’s toolkit.

The reality, though, is that the combination of Inter’s stance and the likely cost turns this into one of the toughest deals Barcelona could attempt. On paper, he looks like a perfect solution. In practice, he may be the least attainable name on the list.

Victor Osimhen: The blockbuster gamble

If Barcelona want fireworks, Victor Osimhen is the name that lights up the room.

The Nigerian striker continues to attract interest from Europe’s elite, while Saudi Arabian clubs have shown a willingness to throw enormous money at any potential deal. Recent reports even claimed Galatasaray rejected a €150 million offer from Al-Hilal for the 27-year-old, a figure that underlines the market around him.

Arsenal have also been linked, and the reasoning is straightforward. Osimhen brings raw pace, power, aerial dominance and a constant threat in front of goal. In a Barcelona side that spends long stretches camped in the opposition half, his ability to attack space and punish high lines could be devastating.

The catch is obvious. The transfer fee and salary would demand one of the biggest financial commitments of the club’s current project. Barcelona would effectively be deciding whether to anchor a significant part of their budget to one player.

Is Osimhen worth that kind of bet? That is the scale of the question the board would have to answer.

Nicolo Tresoldi: The wildcard for tomorrow

Then there is Nicolo Tresoldi, the left-field option.

The 21-year-old German forward at Club Brugge does not carry the same global profile as Osimhen, Lautaro or Gyokeres. What he does bring is age, size and a rising goalscoring record that has caught attention at Barcelona.

In 2025/26, Tresoldi played 58 matches across all competitions and scored 23 goals. At 6ft 1in, he offers a strong physical presence and still has plenty of room to grow.

His contract runs until 2029, and Brugge value him at around €45-50 million. That is not small money, especially for a player without extensive experience at the very top level, and it makes him a calculated risk. Barcelona have already made contacts, aware that this would be a bet on trajectory as much as current output.

Compared with Lautaro, Osimhen or Gyokeres, Tresoldi represents a different kind of investment: potential plus production, rather than a finished article at maximum cost. If Flick and the sporting hierarchy are convinced his development can accelerate inside the Barcelona environment, he could evolve into a long-term answer to the No. 9 question.

For now, though, one thing is clear. With Julian Alvarez almost certainly out of reach, Barcelona’s search for a striker is no longer about the perfect target. It is about choosing which compromise shapes the next phase of their attack.